NYSERDA names new CEO

The New York State Energy and Research Development Authority on Monday appointed John Rhodes as president and CEO, officials announced.

Rhodes most recently was director of the Center for Market Innovation for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Before that, he was chief operating officer at what is now Bregal Energy Inc., a New York City investment firm specializing in energy efficiency, renewable and traditional energy markets.

“John will be integral to the establishment of the New York Green Bank, as well as to our efforts to accelerate market forces to spur investment in clean energy that will advance new technologies, create green jobs and ensure a resilient and reliable energy system across New York,” NYSERDA chairman Richard Kauffman said in a statement.

The Green Bank initiative, announced last week by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, is designed to have $1 billion when fully capitalized. Its financial products are expected to be available early next year, the governor’s office said last week.